The Oval The Oval, September 10 : A tribute was paid to Queen Elizabeth II before the commencement of play on the third day of the third Test match between England and South Africa, here on Saturday.A moment of silence was observed prior to the national anthems.
with “God Save The King’ being followed by a steady ovation by the audience.
The players from both sides as well as officials from both sides who are wearing black armbands and black armbands, entered the field through an official military guard of honour before the field went silent.
The moment of silence was broken by one sound of an alarm bell from the most senior official of the military in the crowd the field, the Senior NCO Robert Brockelsby Miller of the Irish Guards.
The singer Laura Wright performed the anthems first of South Africa before God Save The King.
The Oval audience was joined in with the latest song of Britain which was and then the applause, which was only finished with James Anderson delivered the first ball of the game.
“It’s always an amazing experience standing on the field and singing the national anthem, and obviously today will have more to it,” England captain Ben Stokes said to the BBC before the game.
“The national anthem could be played a more loudly than typically, and that’s just the way it should be.It’s a great feeling knowing that we’ll take part in this game, not only to honor us, but in the memory of Queen Elizabeth II, which makes it an extremely special day for all of us,” he added.
Prior to that the day, there was no possibility of playing on day one due to the possibility of rain.Day two was cancelled in a gesture of honor to the Queen Elizabeth II, who passed on Thursday in the year of 96.The game began on the third day, with South Africa batting after England won the toss on Thursday.
The game on Saturday was considered as the third day of the Test.
There was talk of the possibility of extending the game to the sixth day on Tuesday, however this was not feasible because South Africa are due to return home on Tuesday, before they travel to India as well as Australia.
The series is currently tied 1-1 , and the Oval Test is a crucial one for South Africa in particular with ICC World Test Championship points at stake.
South Africa were usurped from the top position of the standings following their defeat to England in the second Test.
On the other the other hand, England are seventh in the standings following losing six times and winning eight times.
The WTC table is currently dominated by Australia with a record of winning rate of 70.
avn/bsk
